Modular cooling system

ABSTRACT

Technologies for modular cooling systems for cooling electronic components installed in equipment racks are provided herein. A modular cooling system comprises a cold plate and a support manifold connected to the cold plate. Together, the support manifold and cold plate define a fluid path for cooling fluid from the support manifold to the cold plate. The modular cooling system also includes an equipment carrier including equipment cooled by the cold plate.

SUMMARY

Disclosed are technologies for modular cooling systems. According tovarious embodiments, a modular cooling system includes: a cold plate; asupport manifold connected to the cold plate, the support manifold andcold plate together defining a fluid path for cooling fluid from thesupport manifold to the cold plate; and an equipment carrier includingelectrical equipment cooled by the cold plate.

In further embodiments, a connection manifold for a modular coolingsystem includes: a manifold body; a first fluid channel defined in themanifold body; and a second fluid channel defined in the manifold body,the manifold body providing mechanical support for electrical equipmentcooled by the first and second fluid channels.

In further embodiments, a fluid connection system for a modular coolingsystem includes: a connector; a sliding arm attached to the connector;and a cam adapted to move the sliding arm, wherein the connector, thesliding arm, and the cam are configured for use in an electronicequipment rack.

Various implementations described in the present disclosure may includeadditional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may notnecessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detaileddescription and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all suchsystems, methods, features, and advantages be included within thepresent disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and components of the following figures are illustrated toemphasize the general principles of the present disclosure.Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may bedesignated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistencyand clarity.

FIG. 1 is a partially-exploded perspective view of a modular coolingsystem with an equipment rack according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure including a connector manifold connecting a traysystem with a cooling manifold and heat exchanger.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connector manifold of FIG. 1taken along line 2-2.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a connector manifold in accordancewith another embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a connector manifold in accordance withanother embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an equipment rack with a modular coolingsystem according to another embodiment of the present disclosureincluding a cold plate and support manifold.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the cold plate and support manifold of FIG. 5with the support manifold connected to a rail, the cold plate mounted onthe support manifold, and a drive carrier positioned on the rail andcold plate.

FIG. 7 is a partial front view of two cold plates of FIG. 5 in adecoupled position.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cold plate and support manifold ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is another perspective view of the cold plate and supportmanifold of FIG. 5 showing at least one plate connector of the coldplate in fluid communication with at least one manifold connector of thesupport manifold.

FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the cold plate and supportmanifold of FIG. 5 showing the cold plate mounted on the supportmanifold.

FIG. 11 is a partial top view of the support manifold and cold plate ofFIG. 5 taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a partial side view of the support manifold and cold plate ofFIG. 1 taken along line 12-12 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a partial front view of a manifold cooling system inaccordance with another embodiment of the current disclosure including acold plate and a support manifold with the support manifold connected toa rail, the cold plate mounted on the support manifold, and a drivecarrier positioned on the rail and cold plate.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a support manifold and cold plate ofFIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is another perspective view of the support manifold and coldplate of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a partial side view of the support manifold and cold plate ofFIG. 13 taken along line 16-16 in FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a partial top view of the support manifold and cold plate ofFIG. 13 the cold plate and support manifold taken along line 17-17 inFIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is a partial side view of the cold plate and support manifold ofFIG. 5 showing an actuation system including a pivot pin, cam, andsliding pin.

FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view of the pivot pin, cam, andsliding pin of the actuation system of FIG. 18 in an unmated anddisengaged position.

FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view of the pivot pin, cam, andsliding pin of the actuation system of FIG. 18 in an unmated and engagedposition.

FIG. 21 is a partial cross-sectional view of the pivot pin, cam, andsliding pin of the actuation system of FIG. 18 in a mated and engagedposition.

FIG. 22 is a detailed view of the at least one plate connector and theat least one manifold connector of FIG. 9 in an unmated and disengagedposition.

FIG. 23 is a detailed view of the at least one plate connector and theat least one manifold connector of FIG. 9 in an unmated and engagedposition.

FIG. 24 is a detailed view of the at least one plate connector and theat least one manifold connector of FIG. 9 in a mated and engagedposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is directed to technologies formodular cooling systems for cooling electronic components installed inequipment racks. Electronic systems, such as computer systems, havevarious electronic components that use electrical energy but generateheat as a byproduct. Computer systems that are rack-based include manyrack-mounted components in a high-density arrangement, which can producea great amount of heat. If the heat is not removed from these systems,the various electronic components may suffer damage. Therefore, coolingsystems are an important consideration for rack-based electronicsystems. However, cooling systems typically use a large amount ofmaterials and occupy much space within the rack-based system that couldotherwise be used for increasing the drive densities of the rack-basedsystem.

Various embodiments of a modular cooling system 100 are disclosed anddescribed in FIG. 1. The modular cooling system 100 of the variousembodiments includes at least one connector manifold 102 connecting acooling manifold 104, an airfoil 106, and a heat exchanger 108 to anequipment rack 110. The cooling manifold 104, airfoil 106, and heatexchanger 108 are utilized to supply and receive cooling fluid throughthe connector manifolds 102 to the equipment rack 110. In particular,the cooling manifold 104 provides coolant to a cold plate, discussed ingreater detail below, to remove heat from equipment in the equipmentrack 110. Passages are present in or near the cooling manifold 104 totransport the coolant returned from all sources to the heat exchanger108 prior to cycling back to a cooling device or fan/blower module (notshown).

As shown in FIG. 1, equipment racks 110 are typically box-likestructures or cabinets that contain a number of removable modules or anumber of removable trays. The modules or trays may hold one or moreelectronic components, including, but not limited to, central processingunits, storage devices, networking or communication devices andequipment, video processing equipment, and various other electroniccomponents mounted in equipment racks. A design configurationconsideration for the equipment rack 110 is to utilize most of the spacewithin the rack 110 with placement of electronic components, such ascomputer servers (using a server rack), controllers, switches, andvarious other functional equipment, and to minimize the support orperipheral equipment, such as power distribution devices, power supplycables, and other peripheral equipment, within the rack 110.

In various embodiments, the equipment rack 110 houses at least onecooling tray 114 and at least one equipment tray 116. The trays 114,116are stacked in the equipment rack 110. The connector manifolds 102connect the cooling manifold 104, airfoil 106, and heat exchanger 108 tothe cooling trays 114 to supply and take cooling fluid to the coolingtrays 114. In various embodiments, the connector manifolds 102 alsoprovide cabling management and connect equipment trays 116 to otherpower, I/O, or other equipment within the equipment rack 110 or externalto the equipment rack 110. In various embodiments, the connectormanifolds 102 are constructed from a material such as various metals,plastics, composites, or various other materials enabling the manifold102 to be flexible. In various embodiments, the connector manifolds 102are constructed from or includes a shielding material such as rubber foroffering shielded management of I/O cabling or power cabling.

To access a single tray in the stack of trays 114,116, the trays 114,116stacked on top of the target tray generally are raised or lifted toprovide access to the target tray. In various embodiments where theconnector manifolds 102 are flexible, even as trays 114,116 are movedvertically to access the target tray, the connector manifolds 102maintain the integrity of the connection between the connector manifolds102 and the trays 114,116. In this manner, the target tray may beaccessed without disrupting the connections to other trays 114,116 inthe equipment rack 110.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connector manifold 102 takenalong line 2-2 in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the connector manifold 102includes a body 200 with an outer surface 202. The body 200 defines afirst channel 204 and a second channel 206. In various embodiments, thefirst channel 204 is a coolant supply channel and the second channel 206is a coolant return channel. In various other embodiments, the firstchannel 204 is the coolant return channel and the second channel 206 isthe coolant supply channel. According to various examples, the manifoldbody 200 provides mechanical support for electrical equipment cooled bythe first and second fluid channels.

The connector manifold 102 also includes a first groove 208 defined inthe outer surface 202 and extending into the body 200. The first groove208 defines a groove surface 210. In various embodiments, the connectormanifold 102 includes a first groove extension 212 and a second grooveextension 214 extending partially above the groove 208. As shown in FIG.2, in various embodiments, the groove 208 houses a first cable 216. Inthis manner, the connector manifold 102 provides cable management byhousing the first cable 216 in the single connector manifold 102 andthereby reducing the amount of free cables typically found in electronicor computing systems. The groove extensions 212,214 ensure that thefirst cable 216 is retained within the first groove 208 of the connectormanifold 102. In various embodiments, the first cable 216 may be an I/Ocable, data transmission cable, power cable, or any other cable used inelectronics or computing systems. In various embodiments, the channels204,206 for coolant may actively cool the first cable 216 and therebyallow for smaller conductor diameters or alternative conductor materialsto be used for the manifold 102. In various embodiments, the firstchannel 204, the second channel 206, and the first groove 208 extendthrough or are defined in the body 200 for an entire length of theconnector manifold 102.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another connector manifold 102′according to further embodiments of the current disclosure. As shown inFIG. 3, the connector manifold 102′ has the body 200 with the outersurface 202, the first channel 204, and the second channel 206. As shownin FIG. 3, the connector manifold 102′ does not include the first groove208 shown in FIG. 2 but otherwise functions similarly to the connectormanifold 102.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another connector manifold 102″according to further embodiments of the current disclosure. As shown inFIG. 4, the connector manifold 102″ includes the body 200 with the outersurface 202, the first channel 204, the second channel 206, and thefirst groove 208. The connector manifold 102″ also includes a secondgroove 410 defined in the outer surface 202 and extending into the body200. The second groove 410 defines a groove surface 414. In variousembodiments, the connector manifold 102″ may also include a third grooveextension 420 and a fourth groove extension 422 extending partiallyabove the second groove 410. As shown in FIG. 4, in various embodiments,the second groove 410 houses a second cable 424. In this manner, theconnector manifold 102″ provides cable management by housing the cables216,424 in the grooves 208,410 and thereby reducing the amount of freecables typically found in electronic or computing systems. The grooveextensions 420,422 ensure that the second cable 424 is retained withinthe connector manifold 102″. The groove extensions 420,422 also ensurethe cable 424 is retained within the second groove 410 of the connectormanifold 102″. In various embodiments, the first cable 216 is an I/Ocable and the second cable 424 is a power cable. However, the disclosureof the cables 216,424 should not be considered limiting as in variousembodiments, the cables 216,424 may be any type of cable used inelectronics or computing systems. In various embodiments, the channels204,206 for coolant may actively cool the cables 216,424 and therebyallow for smaller conductor diameters or alternative conductor materialsto be used for the manifold 102″.

Some components of a modular cooling system 500 are disclosed anddescribed in

FIG. 5. According to various embodiments, the modular cooling system 500may include at least one support manifold 502 and at least one coldplate 504. In the present embodiment, the modular cooling system 500includes a plurality of support manifolds 502 and a plurality of coldplates 504. As shown in FIG. 5, in various embodiments, the modularcooling system 500 is part of a modular carrier such as an equipmentrack 506. Equipment rack 506 is similar to equipment rack 110, butequipment rack 506 contains a number of removable modules rather thanremovable trays as with equipment rack 110.

The equipment rack 506 includes at least one mounting mechanism forsupporting an equipment carrier 508 and the support manifold 502 in theequipment rack 506. In the present embodiment, the mounting mechanism israils 510; however, in various other embodiments, the mounting mechanismincludes those mechanisms from the group including, but not limited to,slots, mounting apertures, screws, mounting brackets, runners, wheels,and any other mechanism suitable for mounting and supporting equipmentmodules positioned on or in the equipment rack 506.

As shown in FIG. 5, each support manifold 502 may be mounted on a rail510. Each support manifold 502 defines a first channel 522 and a secondchannel 524. In various embodiments, the first channel 522 is a coolantsupply channel for supplying coolant from a cooling manifold, such ascooling manifold 104, to the cold plates 504 and the second channel 524is a coolant return channel for returning coolant from the cold plates504 to the cooling manifold 104. In various other embodiments, the firstchannel 522 is the coolant return channel and the second channel 524 isthe coolant supply channel. According to various examples, the supportmanifold 502 provides mechanical support for various electricalcomponents to be cooled by the cold plate 504, as described in greaterdetail below.

As shown in FIG. 5, in various embodiments the cold plate 504 is mountedon the support manifold 502 in the equipment rack 506. In variousembodiments, a single level within the equipment rack 506 includes asingle cold plate 504; however, in various other embodiments, a singlelevel within the equipment rack includes more than one cold plate 504,such as two cold plates 504. As shown in FIG. 5, the cold plates 504 onthe same level include an engagement mechanism 512 for connecting thecold plates 504, as described in greater detail below with reference toFIGS. 6-8. In various embodiments, a single level within the equipmentrack includes two cold plates 504, two support manifolds 502, and tworails 510.

The equipment rack 506 also includes equipment carriers 508 whichsupport equipment for computing or electronics. As shown in FIG. 5, invarious embodiments, the equipment carriers 508 are mounted on the rails510 and in contact with the cold plates 504. As described below withreference to FIG. 9, each cold plate 504 includes coolant tubing housedwithin the cold plate. Coolant is supplied to the cold plate 504 throughthe channels 522,524 in the support manifold 502. As coolant flowsthrough the cold plate 504, the contact between the cold plate 504 andthe equipment carrier 508 allows for the transfer of heat generated bythe equipment in the equipment carriers 508 to the coolant. The heatedcoolant flows out of the cold plate 504 and back into the supportmanifold 502, where the coolant is chilled again. This cycle repeatscontinuously to ensure the equipment of the equipment carriers 508 doesnot get overheated. In various embodiments, the cold plates 504 may beextendably movable along the rails 510 through the support manifolds 502relative to the equipment rack 506. As described below in greaterdetail, in various embodiments the support manifolds 502 include anumber of telescoping parts such that the support manifold 502 isselectively lengthened as the cold plate 504 moves relative to the rail510. In these embodiments, the telescoping support manifolds 502 maymaintain the integrity of the connection between the support manifold502 and the cold plate 504, as will be described in greater detailbelow. In various embodiments, adjacent equipment carriers 508 may becoupled together with an equipment connector 514.

FIG. 6 shows one level from the equipment rack 506 with supportmanifolds 502 connected to the rails 510, the cold plates 504 mounted onthe support manifolds 502, and the equipment carriers 508 mounted on therails 510 and in contact with the cold plates 504. As previouslydescribed, in various embodiments, the rail 510 is utilized in theequipment rack 506 as a mechanism for mounting and supporting variousequipment within the equipment rack 506. In various embodiments, therail 510 defines a channel 600. The channel 600 defines a profilecomplimentary to a key 602 of the support manifold 502 such that the key602 may be inserted into the channel 600 to mount and secure the supportmanifold 502 to the rail 510. In various embodiments, the key 602 isintegrally formed with the support manifold 502; however, in variousother embodiments, the key 602 is attached to the support manifold 502with an attachment mechanism such as those in the group including, butnot limited to, welding, adhesives, fasteners, and various otherattachment mechanisms. In various embodiments, the key 602 is movablewithin the channel 600 such that the support manifold 502 is movablealong the rail 510 while remaining mounted on the rail 510. The shape ofthe rail 510, the channel 600, or the key 602 should not be consideredlimiting on the current disclosure as in various embodiments, the rail510, channel 600, or key 602 may have any desired shape.

The support manifold 502 includes a top side 606, a bottom side 608, afirst side 610, and a second side 612 in various embodiments. As shownin FIG. 6, the support manifold 502 also includes a center wall 630within the support manifold 502 in various embodiments. In variousembodiments, the support manifold 502 has a generally rectangularprofile with the center wall 630 dividing the manifold into the firstchannel 522 and the second channel 524; however, the shape of thesupport manifold 502, the first channel 522, or the second channel 524should not be considered limiting as in various other embodiments, thesupport manifold 502, first channel 522, or the second channel 524 mayhave a square, elliptical, circular, angled, or any other desired shapeprofile with a center wall 630 forming at least two channels in themanifold 502.

In various embodiments, the support manifold 502 includes a number oftelescoping parts such that the support manifold 502 is selectivelylengthened as the cold plate 504 moves relative to the rail 510. Invarious embodiments, each of the sides 606,608,610,612 include severalinterconnected and telescoping panels such that a length of the supportmanifold 502 may be selectively increased or decreased. In theseembodiments, the telescoping support manifolds 502 may maintain theintegrity of the connection between the support manifold 502 and thecold plate 504.

In various embodiments, the cold plate 504 includes a manifold side 648and a coupling side 650. In various embodiments, the coupling side 650defines the engagement mechanism 512. In various embodiments, theengagement mechanism 512 is a rib 616 and groove 618 on each cold plate504 engaging the corresponding rib 616 and groove 618 on an adjacentcold plate 504. FIG. 8 shows a single cold plate 504 with both the rib616 and the groove 618. The engagement mechanism 512 allows for upwardmovement of the engaged or mated cold plates 504 such that the coldplates 504 may detach from each other and the support manifolds 502while preventing downward movement of the plates 504 beyond asubstantially planar configuration

In various embodiments, the coupling side 650 also defines a horizontalstop surface 658 and a vertical stop surface 664. The rib 616 having arib surface 662 is defined at the coupling side 650 for a portion of thecoupling side 650 (shown in FIG. 8). As shown in FIG. 6, the rib 616includes an outer end surface 690. In various embodiments, the outer endsurface 690 of the rib 616 may be coplanar with a front end surface 692of the cold plate 504 or a back end surface 694 of the cold plate 504;however, in various other embodiments, the outer end surface 690 is notcoplanar with either the front end surface 692 or the back end surface694. In various embodiments, the groove 618 having a groove surface 660is defined at the coupling side 650 along a portion of the coupling side650 (shown in FIG. 8). The profile of the rib 616 compliments theprofile of the groove 618. As shown in FIG. 6, the complimentarycoupling side features of one cold plate 504 and an adjacent cold plate504 are mated, thereby providing the engagement necessary to support thecold plates 504 in the neutral position as well as the constraintnecessary to permit rotation of the plates 504 only for decoupling andto avoid sagging of the plates 504. The mating of adjacent cold plates504 will be described in greater detail below.

As shown in FIG. 6, the support manifold 502 includes a plate retainer642 in various embodiments. The plate retainer 642 has a profilecomplimentary to the profile of a retainer pocket 640 formed in the coldplate 504. In various embodiments, the retainer pocket 640 is defined atthe manifold side 648 of the cold plate extending from the manifold side648 into the cold plate 504. As shown in FIG. 6, the retainer pocket 640has a profile complimentary to the profile of the plate retainer 642such that the plate retainer 642 is insertable into the retainer pocket640 and engages the retainer pocket 640 to support the cold plate 504 tothe support manifold 502. FIG. 6 shows the cold plate 504 in a neutralposition where the plate retainer 642 is mated with the retainer pocket640 and is providing vertical support to the cold plate 504 andhorizontal retention of the cold plate 504 against the support manifold502 without any other type of connector engagement. As shown in FIG. 6,in the neutral position, at least a portion of the manifold side 648faces and is positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the secondside 612 of the support manifold 502. The cold plate 504 via theretainer pocket 640 may be movable around the plate retainer 642 but mayremain mated with the plate retainer 642 to provide support relief forthe cold plate 504 as adjacent cold plates are lifted for disengagementor decoupling.

In various embodiments, individual plates 504 are manufactured bytechniques such as injection molding for low cost and convenience;however, in various other embodiments, the individual cold plates 504may be manufactured through various casting, molding, forming,machining, joining, and various other manufacturing techniques and maybe constructed from various metals, composites, plastics, or variousother materials. Each plate 504 is of a minimum thickness suitable toengage the plate retainer 642 on the support manifold 502. In variousembodiments, each plate 504 includes alignment mechanisms, such as aprotrusion defined on the top surface 520 and a recess defined on thebottom surface 654, for alignment of the plate 504 with equipmentstacked immediately below the cold plate 504 in the equipment rack 506.These alignment mechanism may allow for easy stacking of equipmentcarriers 508 and plates 504 in the equipment rack 506, akin to a stackof books in various embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 6, the equipment carrier 508 is mounted on the rail 510and in contact with the cold plate 504. When the equipment carrier 508is in contact with the cold plate 504, the cold plate 504 may cool theequipment carrier 508 as coolant flows through coils housed in the coldplate 504.

In various embodiments, two cold plates 504 are coupled together whenused in the equipment rack 506. As used herein, two cold plates 504 arein a neutral or coupled position when the rib 616 of one plate 504 ismated with the groove 618 of the other cold plate 504, the horizontalstop surfaces 658 of each cold plate 504 face and abut each other, andthe vertical stop surfaces 664 are spaced apart. FIG. 6 shows two coldplates 504 in the neutral position. As used herein, two cold plates 504are in a decoupled position when the rib 616 of one plate 504 is matedwith the groove 618 of the other cold plate 504, the vertical stopsurfaces 664 of each cold plate 504 face and abut each other, and thehorizontal stop surfaces 658 are spaced apart. FIG. 7 shows two coldplates 504 in the decoupled position. An axis of rotation 700 is definedthrough the center of the aligned ribs 616 of two adjoining plates 504.

In the neutral position, the plates 504 are maintained in asubstantially horizontal position and the cold plates 504 areconstrained from rotating below this position. Loading on the plates 504in the neutral position is almost entirely vertical. However, theengagement of the horizontal stop surfaces 658 prevents sagging of theplates 504 where the plates 504 are coupled. Applying a downward ford onthe plates 504 in the neutral position does not result in the platesdecoupling or rotation below the neutral position. In the neutralposition, support for each plate 504 is provided by both the plateretainer 642 engaged with the retainer pocket 640 and the cold plate504.

As shown in FIG. 7, by applying an upward force indicated by the arrowlabeled A, the plates 504 rotate about the axis of rotation 700 from theneutral position to the decoupled position. In the decoupled position,the plates 504 may be decoupled and each plate 504 may be removedindependently. When one cold plate 504 is removed, the sole support forthe cold plate 504 remaining within the equipment rack 506 provided bythe plate retainer 642 engaged with the retainer pocket 640.

The profile of the rib 616 and rib surface 662 permits rotation of thecold plates 504 about the axis of rotation 700 between the neutralposition with the horizontal stop surfaces 658 in contact with eachother and the decoupled position with the vertical stop surfaces 664 incontact with each other. In various embodiments, the positioning andgeometry of the horizontal stop surface 658 and vertical stop surface664 on each plate 504 defines the degree of rotation possible for theplates 504 about the axis of rotation 700. The degree of rotation may bevaried by altering the geometry of the plates 504 and the position ofthe horizontal stop surface 658 and vertical stop surface 664 around theaxis of rotation 700.

FIG. 8 shows the cold plate 504 mounted on the support manifold 502. Asshown in FIG. 8, the support manifold 502 includes a front end 800 and aback end 802. In various embodiments, either the front end 800 or theback end 802 includes a sealing mechanism, such as a plug, plate, orvarious other sealing mechanisms, insertable in or over the channels522,524 at the particular end 800 or end 802. When one of the ends800,802 is sealed, access to the respective channels 522,524 is throughthe unsealed end. In various other embodiments, both ends 800,802 aresealed and access to the channels 522,524 is through a connector on orthrough at least one of the sides 606,608,610,612 of the supportmanifold 502 to the channels 522,524. In various embodiments, the sides606,608,610,612 are each constructed from interconnected panels suchthat the sides 606,608,610,612 are telescoping. The telescoping sides606,608,610,612 allow a length of the support manifold 502, defined asthe distance from the front end 800 to the back end 802, to beselectively adjusted to increase or decrease the length.

As shown in FIG. 8, the cold plate 504 includes a front end 804 and aback end 806. As previously described, at the coupling side 650, thecold plate 504 includes the rib 616 and the groove 618. In variousembodiments, the rib 616 extends from the back end 806 to anintermediary position 808 on the coupling side 650 and the groove 618extends from the front end 804 to the intermediary position 808 on thecoupling side 650. In various other embodiments, the rib 616 extendsfrom the front end 804 to the intermediary position 808 and the groove618 extends from the back end 806 to the intermediary position 808. Therib 616 includes an inner end 812 having an inner end surface 810 at theintermediary position 808 and an outer end 814 having an outer endsurface 690 (shown in FIG. 6) at the back end 806 of the cold plate 504.When two cold plates 504 are coupled, the inner end surfaces 810 of thecold plate 504 are positioned adjacent to and face each other. Invarious embodiments when two cold plates 504 are coupled, the inner endsurfaces 810 abut and may come in contact with each other.

As shown in FIG. 9, in various embodiments, a manifold supply connector900 in the support manifold 502 is connectable with a plate supplyconnector 902 in the cold plate 504 to define a flow path from the firstchannel 522, through the connectors 900,902, to coolant tubing 904 partof a cooling system within the cold plate 504. In various embodiments,the manifold supply connector 900 is connectable with the plate supplyconnector 902 when the cold plate 504 is in the neutral position and theconnectors 900,902 are engaged. As shown in FIG. 9, in variousembodiments, the manifold supply connector 900 includes a first end 906and a second end 908 and defines a fluid passageway from the first end906 to the second end 908. In various embodiments, the manifold supplyconnector 900 extends from at least the first channel 522, through thecenter wall 630, through the second channel 524, and to the second side612 of the support manifold 502. In various embodiments, the first end906 defines and inlet 910 in fluid communication with the first channel522 to allow coolant to flow into the manifold supply connector 900. Thesecond end 908 defines an outlet 912. In various embodiments, the outlet912 includes a plug that selectively opens the outlet 912 when themanifold supply connector 900 and plate supply connector 902 areconnected and allows fluid flow out of the outlet 912.

As further shown in FIG. 9, the plate supply connector 902 includes afirst end 914 and a second end 916. The plate supply connector 902defines a fluid passageway from the first end 914 to the second end 916.The plate supply connector 902 extends from at least the manifold side648 of the cold plate 504 to the coolant tubing 904 in the cold plate504. The first end 914 defines and inlet 918. In various embodiments,the inlet 918 includes a plug that selectively opens the inlet 918 whenthe manifold supply connector 900 and plate supply connector 902 areconnected and enables fluid flow from the outlet 912 of the manifoldsupply connector 900 into the inlet 918 of the plate supply connector902. The second end 916 defines an outlet 920 in fluid communicationwith the inlet portion 904a to allow coolant to flow from the platesupply connector 902 to the coolant tubing 904.

In various embodiments, a manifold return connector 922 in the supportmanifold 502 is connectable with a plate return connector 924 in thecold plate 504 to define a flow path from the coolant tubing 904,through the connectors 900,902, to the second channel 524 in the supportmanifold 502. In various embodiments, the plate return connector 924includes a first end 926 and a second end 928. The plate returnconnector 924 defines a fluid passageway from the first end 926 to thesecond end 928. The plate return connector 924 extends from at least themanifold side 648 of the cold plate 504 to the coolant tubing 904 in thecold plate 504. The first end 926 defines and outlet 930. In variousembodiments, the outlet 930 includes a plug that selectively opens theoutlet 930 when the manifold return connector 922 and plate returnconnector 924 are connected and enables fluid flow from the outlet 930of the plate return connector 924. The second end 916 defines an inlet932 in fluid communication with the outlet portion 904b to allow coolantto flow from the coolant tubing 904 to the and plate return connector924.

The manifold return connector 922 is connectable with the plate returnconnector 924 when the cold plate 504 is in the neutral position and theconnectors 922,924 are engaged. As shown in FIG. 9, the manifold returnconnector 922 includes a first end 934 and a second end 936. Themanifold return connector 922 defines a fluid passageway from the firstend 934 to the second end 936. The manifold return connector 922 extendsfrom at least the second channel 524 to the second side 612 of thesupport manifold 502. In various embodiments, the second end 936 definesand inlet 938. In various embodiments, the inlet 938 includes a plugthat selectively opens the inlet 938 when the manifold return connector922 and plate return connector 924 are connected and allows fluid flowfrom coolant tubing 904, out the outlet 930 of the plate returnconnector 924, into the inlet 938 of the manifold return connector 922,and into the second channel 524. The first end 934 defines an outlet940. In various embodiments, the outlet 940 is in fluid communicationwith the second channel 524.

Although two pairs of connectors are shown in the present embodiment,the supply connectors 900,902 and the return connectors 922,924, thenumber of connectors should not be considered limiting as in variousother embodiments, any desired number of connectors may be utilized. Inaddition, the shape of the connectors 900,902,922,924 should not beconsidered limiting on the current disclosure as in various embodiments,the connectors 900,902,922,924 may have any desired shape defining afluid passageway through the connectors 900,902,922,924 and enablingfluid flow from the support manifold 502 to the cold plate 504.Theconnectors 900,902,922,924 will be described in greater detail belowwith reference to FIGS. 23-25.

FIG. 10 shows the plate retainer 642 of the support manifold 502positioned in the retainer pocket 640 of the cold plate 504 in theneutral position. As previously described, the profile of the plateretainer 642 is complimentary to the profile of the retainer pocket 640.In the neutral position, the profile of the plate retainer 642 mateswith the retainer pocket 640 to provide both vertical support to thecold plate 504 and horizontal retention of the cold plate 504 againstthe support manifold 502. In various embodiments, the plate retainer 642and retainer pocket 640 provide horizontal retention of the cold plate504 without any connector engagement such as supply connectors 900,902and/or return connectors 922,924. In various embodiments, the cold plate504 may be variably positioned relative to the support manifold 502 byvariably positioning the plate retainer 642 within the retainer pocket640.

FIG. 11 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the cold plate 504mounted on the support manifold 502 taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 8. Asshown in FIG. 11, the plate retainer 642 is positioned in the retainerpocket 640 in the neutral position. FIG. 11 also shows a manifold supplyfluid passageway 1102 of the manifold supply connector 900 and a platesupply fluid passageway 1104 of the plate supply connector 902. As shownin FIG. 11, in various embodiments, the cold plate 504 also defines acoolant connector pocket 1100. In various embodiments, a coolant pocketretainer 1106 is positioned in the coolant connector pocket 1100 formounting and retaining the cold plate 504 on the support manifold 502through an actuation system, which is described in greater detail withreference to FIGS. 18-21. In various embodiments, the coolant pocketretainer 1106 is substantially similar to the plate retainer 642. Invarious other embodiments, the coolant connector pocket 1100 includes aprofile complimentary to the coolant pocket retainer 1106 such thatcoolant pocket retainer 1106 engages the coolant connector pocket 1100to retain the cold plate 504 against the support manifold 502. As shownin FIG. 11, the coolant connector pocket 1100 includes at least aportion of the plate supply connector 902 extending through the coolantconnector pocket 1100.

FIG. 12 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the cold plate 504mounted on the support manifold 502 taken along line 12-12 in FIG. 8. Asshown in FIG. 12, the plate retainer 642 is positioned in the retainerpocket 640 in the neutral position. In addition, the connectors 902,924are positioned in the coolant connector pocket 1100 to connect withconnectors 900,922 of the support manifold 502. As shown in FIG. 12, aportion of the plate return connector 924 extends through the coolantconnector pocket 1100. FIG. 12 also shows the plate return fluidpassageway 1200 of the plate return connector 924.

FIG. 13 shows a front view of other embodiments of a support manifold502′ and cold plate 504′. As shown in FIG. 13, in various embodiments,the support manifold 502′ is substantially similar to the supportmanifold 502 and includes all the aforementioned components of thesupport manifold 502. In addition, the support manifold 502′ includesvoltage and ground electrical connectors. In the present embodiment, theelectrical connectors are a first bus bar 1300 and a second bus bar1302; however, the disclosure of the bus bars 1300,1302 should not beconsidered limiting on the current disclosure. In various embodiments,the bus bars 1300,1302 are insulated. The first bus bar 1300 has a firstpolarity and the second bus bar 1302 has a second polarity opposite ofthe first polarity. As shown in FIG. 13, in various embodiments thefirst bus bar 1300 is entirely housed within the first channel 522 andpositioned at least proximate to the first side 610 and the second busbar 1302 is entirely housed within the second channel 524 and positionedat least proximate to the second side 612. In various embodiments, thebus bars 1300, 1302 may be positioned against the respective sides610,612 without causing a short circuit due to the bus bars 1300, 1302being insulated. As will be described below with reference to FIG. 15,in various embodiments, electrical connectors connect the bus bars1300,1302 to a power module 1304 in the cold plate 504′. Because the busbars 1300,1302 are positioned within the channels 522,524, the bus bars1300,1302 are cooled in various embodiments. In these embodiments, thecooling of the bus bars 1300,1302 permits higher power densities in thebus bars 1300,1302, which may be utilized by the various components inthe equipment rack 506.

In various embodiments, the cold plate 504′ is substantially similar tothe cold plate 504 and includes all the aforementioned components of thecold plate 504. In addition, the cold plate 504′ includes the powermodule 1304. As shown in FIG. 14, in various embodiments, the powermodule 1304 is housed within the cold plate 504′. The shape of the powermodule 1304 should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure.In the present embodiment, the power module 1304 is a battery; however,in various other embodiments, the power module 1304 may be any source ofpower for various components mounted in the equipment rack 506 or anyother power-related equipment. For example, in various embodiments, thepower module 1304 may include additional equipment for local AC-DC powerconversion, DC-DC power conversion, and/or battery backup solutions.

As further shown in FIG. 14, the cold plate 504′ includes a powerconnector 1420 enabling connectivity with various electronic componentsin the equipment rack 506. The cold plate 504′ may also include acontrol connector 1416 proximate to the back end 806 enablingconnectivity with external controls. As shown in FIG. 14, in variousembodiments, the cold plate 504′ further includes a control board 1418housed within the cold plate 504′. The control board 1418 may be aprinted circuit board (“PCB”), flex circuit board, or any other desiredtype of control board. The control board 1418 is connected to the powermodule 1304 and the bus bars 1300,1302 and may be used to regulate thepower module 1304. In various embodiments, the control board 1418 may behoused within the power module 1304

FIG. 15 shows various connectors for connecting the cold plate 504′ withthe support manifold 502′. In various embodiments, the manifold supplyconnector 900 extends from at least the first channel 522, through thecenter wall 630, through the second channel 524, through the second busbar 1302, and to the second side 612 of the support manifold 502′. Invarious other embodiments, the manifold supply connector 900 ispositioned such that it does not extend through the second bus bar 1302.As shown in FIG. 15, in various embodiments, the plate supply connector902 extends from at least the manifold side 648 of the cold plate 504′to the coolant tubing 904 in the cold plate 504′. In variousembodiments, the plate return connector 924 extends from at least themanifold side 648 of the cold plate 504′ to the coolant tubing 904 inthe cold plate 504′. In various embodiments, the manifold returnconnector 922 extends from at least the second channel 524, through thesecond bus bar 1302, and to the second side 612 of the support manifold502′. In various other embodiments, the manifold return connector 922 ispositioned such that it does not extend through the second bus bar 1302

In various embodiments, in addition to the connectors 900,902,922,924, amanifold voltage connector 1500 in the support manifold 502′ isconnectable with a plate voltage connector 1502 in the cold plate 504′.In various embodiments, the connectors 1500,1502 define an electricalconnection path from the first bus bar 1300, through the connectors1500, 1502, to the power module 1304 in the cold plate 504′. In variousembodiments, the manifold voltage connector 1500 is connectable with theplate voltage connector 1502 when the cold plate 504′ is in the neutralposition and the connectors 1500,1502 are engaged. The manifold voltageconnector 1500 electrically connects to the first bus bar 1300 andextends through the first channel 522, the center wall 630, the secondchannel 524, and the second bus bar 1302 to the second side 612 of thesupport manifold 502′ in various embodiments. In various otherembodiments, the manifold voltage connector 1500 is positioned such thatit does not extend through the second bus bar 1302.

In various embodiments, the plate voltage connector 1502 electricallyengages the manifold voltage connector 1500 and is further electricallyconnected to the power module 1304 in the cold plate 504′. In variousembodiments when the manifold voltage connector 1500 and the platevoltage connector 1502 are connected, an electrical circuit is completedenabling electrical flow from the first bus bar 1300, through theconnectors 1500,1502, to the power module 1304.

In various embodiments, a manifold ground connector 1518 in the supportmanifold 502′ is electrically connectable with a plate ground connector1520 in the cold plate 504′ to define a flow path from the power module1304, through the connectors 1518,1520, to the second bus bar 1302 inthe support manifold 502. In various embodiments, the manifold groundconnector 1518 is connectable with the plate ground connector 1520 whenthe cold plate 504′ is in the neutral position and the connectors1518,1520 are engaged. As shown in FIG. 15, the manifold groundconnector 1518 electrically connects to the second bus bar 1302 andextends to the second side 612 of the support manifold 502′.

In various embodiments, the plate ground connector 1520 electricallyengages the manifold ground connector 1518 and is further iselectrically connected to the power module 1304 in the cold plate 504′.In various embodiments when the manifold ground connector 1518 and theplate ground connector 1520 are connected, an electrical circuit iscompleted enabling electrical flow from the power module 1304, throughthe connectors 1518,1520, to the second bus bar 1302. The number orshape of the connectors 1500,1502,1518,1520 should not be consideredlimiting on the current disclosure as in various other embodiments, anynumber of connectors may be used and the connectors 1500,1502,1518,1520may have any desired shape or configuration for establishing anelectrical pathway from the bus bars 1300,1302, through the connectors1500,1502,1518,1520, and to the power module 1304.

FIG. 16 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the cold plate 504mounted on the support manifold 502′ taken along line 16-16 in FIG. 14.As shown in FIG. 16, the plate retainer 642 is positioned in theretainer pocket 640 and the coolant pocket retainer 1106 is positionedin the coolant connector pocket 1100 in the neutral position. In variousembodiments, the cold plate 504′ also defines a power connector pocket1602. The power connector pocket 1602 may include a power pocketretainer 1604 positioned in the power connector pocket 1602 for mountingand retaining the cold plate 504′ on the support manifold 502′. Invarious embodiments, the power pocket retainer 1604 is substantiallysimilar to the coolant pocket retainer 1106 and the plate retainer 642.The power connector pocket 1602 may also include at least a portion ofthe plate voltage connector 1502 extending through the power connectorpocket 1602 and a portion of the plate ground connector 1520 extendingthrough the power connector pocket 1602.

FIG. 17 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the cold plate 504′mounted on the support manifold 502′ taken along line 17-17 in FIG. 14.As shown in FIG. 17, in various embodiments, a plate retainer 642 ispositioned in the retainer pocket 640, the coolant pocket retainer 1106is positioned in the coolant connector pocket 1100, and the power pocketretainer 1604 is positioned in the power connector pocket 1602 in theneutral position. In addition, the connectors 902,924 are positioned inthe coolant connector pocket 1100 to connect with connectors 902,922 ofthe support manifold 502′. The power connector pocket 1602 includes theconnectors 1502,1520 positioned in the power connector pocket 1602 toconnect with the connectors 1500,1518 of the support manifold 502′.

FIG. 18 shows various embodiments of an actuation system 1800 for usewith connectors 902,924. In various embodiments, the actuation system1800 may be utilized with the cold plate 504 and support manifold 502 orthe cold plate 504′ and support manifold 502′. As shown in FIG. 18, invarious embodiments, plate supply connector 902 includes an inner sleeve1808 and an outer sleeve 1810 and the plate return connector 924includes an inner sleeve 1812 and an outer sleeve 1814. In variousembodiments, any of the connectors 900,902,922,924 may include an innersleeve similar to inner sleeves 1808,1812 and an outer sleeve similar toouter sleeves 1810,1814. In the current embodiment, the sleeves1808,1810,1812,1814 have a tubular shape; however, the shape of thesleeves 1808,1810,1812,1814 should not be considered limiting on thecurrent disclosure as in various other embodiments, the sleeves1808,1810,1812,1814 may have any desired shape. As will be describedbelow, the inner sleeves 1808,1812 are movably positioned within theouter sleeves 1810,1814 to selectively engage any of the connectors inthe cold plates 504 with connectors in the support manifold 502. Thenumber of sleeves in each connector should not be considered limiting onthe current disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 18, in various embodiments, the actuation system 1800includes a sliding pin 1802, a pivot pin 1804, and a cam 1806 mounted onthe pivot pin 1804. As shown in FIG. 18, the sliding pin 1802 includes afirst pin arm 1816 connected to the inner sleeve 1808 through a firstsliding slot 1918 in the outer sleeve 1810. In various embodiments, thesliding pin 1802 also includes a second pin arm 1818 connected to theinner sleeve 1812 through a second sliding slot (not shown) in the outersleeve 1814. As described below, the sliding pin 1802 is slidablypositioned by the cam 1806 from a position spaced away from the manifoldside 648 within the cold plate 504 to a position proximate or adjacentto the manifold side 648.

FIG. 19, shows the cold plate 504 and support manifold 502 in adisengaged and unmated position. As shown in FIG. 19, in this position,the plate retainer 642 is not positioned within the coolant connectorpocket 1100 and the manifold side 648 of the cold plate 504 is spacedapart from the second side 612 of the support manifold 502. As shown inFIG. 19, in various embodiments, the manifold supply connector 900includes an inner sleeve 1900 and an outer sleeve 1902. The inner sleeve1900 includes an inner sleeve outer surface 1904 and the outer sleeveincludes an outer sleeve outer surface 1906. Although not shown, invarious embodiments, the manifold return connector 922 also includes aninner sleeve and an outer sleeve; however, the number of sleeves of themanifold supply connector 900 or the manifold return connector 922should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 19, the inner sleeve 1808 of the plate supply connector902 includes an outer surface 1908 and the outer sleeve 1810 of theplate supply connector 902 includes an outer surface 1910. In thedisengaged and unmated position, the inner sleeve 1808 is recessed intothe cold plate 504 such that the outer surface 1908 is spaced away fromthe manifold side 648 into the cold plate 504 and inward into the coldplate 504 relative to outer surface 1910.

The cam 1806 includes a body 1912 having a claw portion 1914 and a humpportion 1916. The claw portion 1914 is used to engage the plate retainer642 and the hump portion 1916 is used to movably position the slidingpin 1802 from a position spaced away from the manifold side 648 to aposition proximate to the manifold side 648. As shown in FIG. 19, in thedisengaged and unmated position, the claw portion 1914 is disengagedfrom the plate retainer 642 and the hump portion 1916 is disengaged fromthe sliding pin 1802.

FIG. 20 shows the cold plate 504 and support manifold 502 in a mated butdisengaged position. In this position, the cold plate 504 and supportmanifold 502 are positioned at least adjacent to each other such thatthe second side 612 is positioned adjacent to the manifold side 648. Asshown in FIG. 20, in this position, the outer surface 1906 of the outersleeve 1902 of the manifold supply connector 900 is at least adjacent tothe outer surface 1910 of the outer sleeve 1810 of the plate supplyconnector 902. In the mated but disengaged position, the outer surface1908 of the inner sleeve 1808 of the plate supply connector 902 ispositioned spaced apart from the outer surface 1904 of the inner sleeve1900 of the manifold supply connector 900.

As shown in FIG. 20, in the mated but disengaged position, the cam 1806is partially rotated about the pivot pin 1804 such that the claw portion1914 partially engages the plate retainer 642 to hold the cold plate 504against the support manifold 502. The rotation of the cam 1806 about thepivot pin 1804 also causes the hump portion 1916 to contact the slidingpin 1802. In various embodiments, the hump portion 1916 contacts thesliding pin 1802 without moving the sliding pin 1802 in the mated butdisengaged position.

FIG. 21 partially shows the cold plate 504 and support manifold 502 in amated and engaged position. As shown in FIG. 21, in this position,similar to the mated but disengaged position, the second side 612 ispositioned adjacent to the manifold side 648 and the outer surface 1906of the outer sleeve 1902 of the manifold supply connector 900 ispositioned at least adjacent to the outer surface 1910 of the outersleeve 1810 of the plate supply connector 902. In addition, in thisposition, the outer surface 1908 of the inner sleeve 1808 of the platesupply connector 902 is positioned at least adjacent to the outersurface 1904 of the inner sleeve 1900 of the manifold supply connector900.

As shown in FIG. 21, in the mated and engaged position, the cam 1806 isfurther rotated about the pivot pin 1804 such that the claw portion 1914full engages the plate retainer 642 and holds the cold plate 504 againstthe support manifold 502 more securely relative to the mated butdisengaged position. In addition, in the mated and engaged position, theadditional rotation of the cam 1806 about the pivot pin 1804 causes thehump portion 1916 to engage the sliding pin 1802 and push the slidingpin 1802 towards the manifold side 648 of the cold plate 504. As thesliding pin 1802 is pushed and movably positioned towards the manifoldside 648 through the hump portion 1916, the first pin arm 1816 ismovably positioned by sliding in the first sliding slot 1918. As thefirst pin arm 1816 is slid through the first sliding slot 1918, thefirst pin arm 1816 moves the inner sleeve 1808 towards the manifold side648 such that the outer surface 1908 is positioned proximate to themanifold side 648 and may be positioned adjacent to the outer surface1904 of the inner sleeve 1900 of the manifold supply connector 900.

FIGS. 22-24 show cross-sectional views of an engagement mechanism 2200which may be used in combination with the actuation system 1800described in FIGS. 19-21. As shown in FIG. 22, the engagement mechanismincludes a sealer 2304, a support 2306, and a coned-disc spring 2308 inthe plate supply connector 902 and a sealer 2322, a support 2324, and aconed-disc spring 2326 in the manifold supply connector 900. Thedisclosure of the coned-disc springs 2308,2326 should not be consideredlimiting on the current disclosure as in various other embodiments,various other similar spring mechanisms may be utilized. For exemplarypurposes, FIGS. 22-24 show the engagement mechanism 2200 with themanifold supply connector 900 and the plate supply connector 902;however, the following discussion is equally applicable to any of theconnectors 900, 922 or connectors 902, 924.

As shown in FIG. 22 and described previously with reference to FIG. 19,the manifold supply connector 900 includes the inner sleeve 1900 havingthe outer surface 1904 and the inner sleeve 1900 having the outersurface 1906 in various embodiments. The plate supply connector 902includes the inner sleeve 1808 having the outer surface 1908 and theouter sleeve 1810 having the outer surface 1910. The sliding pin 1802 isconnected to the inner sleeve 1808 of the plate supply connector 902through the first pin arm 1816.

As shown in FIG. 22, the outer surface 1908 of the inner sleeve 1808defines an inlet 2202 which provides access to a central passageway2204. In various embodiments, the central passageway 2204 of the innersleeve 1808 allows for fluid flow from the inlet 2202 into the coldplate 504. As shown in FIG. 22, in various embodiments, the sealer 2304,the support 2306, and the spring 2308 are positioned within the centralpassageway 2204 of the inner sleeve 1808. The sealer 2304 is ofsufficient diameter such that the sealer 2304 completely blocks theinlet 2202 in the disengaged and unmated position and prevents fluidflow through the inlet 2202. The support 2306 is fixably positionedrelative to the inner sleeve 1808. The spring 2308 is positioned betweenthe sealer 2304 and the support 1206. In various embodiments, the spring2308 biases the sealer 2304 towards the outer surface 1908 of the innersleeve 1808 such that the sealer 2304 blocks the inlet 2202 in thedisengaged and unmated position. In various embodiments, the sealer2304, support 2306, and spring 2308 may be constructed from anelectrically conductive material for power transmission applications. Invarious other embodiments, the sealer 2304, support 2306, and spring2308 may be constructed from an electrically insulated material forfluid coupling applications. As a group, the sealer 2304, support 2306,and spring 2308 maintain the integrity of the fluid pathway orelectrical circuit through the inner sleeve 1808.

The manifold supply connector 900 includes the inner sleeve 1900 havingthe outer surface 1904 and the outer sleeve 1902 having the outersurface 1906. In various embodiments, the inner sleeve 1900 defines anoutlet 2318 in the outer surface 1904. The outlet 2318 provides accessto a central passageway 2320. In various embodiments, the centralpassageway 2320 enables fluid flow from one of the channels 522,524 tothe outlet 2318. As shown in FIG. 22, in various embodiments, the sealer2322, the support 2324, and the spring 2326 are positioned within thecentral passageway 2320 of the inner sleeve 1900. The sealer 2322 is ofsufficient diameter such that the sealer 2322 completely blocks theoutlet 2318 in the disengaged and unmated position and prevents fluidflow through the outlet 2318. The support 2324 is fixably positionedrelative to the inner sleeve 2310. As shown in FIG. 22, the spring 2326is positioned between the sealer 2322 and the support 2324. In variousembodiments, the spring 2326 acts against the sealer 2322 such that thesealer 2322 blocks the outlet 2318 in the disengaged and unmatedposition. In various embodiments, the sealer 2322, support 2324, andspring 2326 may be constructed from an electrically conductive materialfor power transmission applications. In various other embodiments, thesealer 2322, support 2324, and spring 2326 may be constructed from anelectrically insulated material for fluid coupling applications. As agroup, the sealer 2322, support 2324, and spring 2326 maintain theintegrity of the fluid pathway or electrical circuit through the innersleeve 2310.

FIG. 23 shows the manifold supply connector 900 and the plate supplyconnector 902 in the mated but disengaged position. As shown in FIG. 23,in this position, the outer surface 1910 of the outer sleeve 1810engages the outer surface 1906 of the outer sleeve 1902 to providemechanical engagement between the connectors 900,902. In addition, inthis position, the sealer 2304 engages the sealer 2322 to providefurther mechanical engagement between the connectors 900,902. However,as previously shown in FIG. 20, in the mated but disengaged position,the cam 1806 has not engaged the sliding pin 1802 to move the slidingpin 1802 laterally towards the manifold side 648. As such, the slidingpin 1802 has not caused the first pin arm 1816 to move the inner sleeve1808 laterally outwards towards the manifold side 648. As shown in FIG.23, the force of the spring 2326 on the sealer 2322 continues to causethe sealer 2322 to block the outlet 2318 and the force of the spring2308 on the sealer 2304 continues to cause the sealer 2304 to block theinlet 2202.

FIG. 24 shows the manifold supply connector 900 and the plate supplyconnector 902 in the mated and engaged position. In this position, theinner sleeve 1808 is moved laterally outwards towards the manifold side648 when the sliding pin 1802 has moved via the cam 1806. As shown inFIG. 25, in various embodiments, in this position, the outer surface1908 of the inner sleeve 1808 engages the outer surface 1904 of theinner sleeve 1900. As shown in FIG. 24, the sealer 2304 engages thesealer 2322. However, unlike the mated but disengaged position, in themated and engaged position, the force supplied by moving and positioningthe inner sleeve 1808 laterally outwards via the sliding pin 1802 issufficient to overcome the force supplied by the springs 2326,2308biasing the sealers 2322,2304 closed. As such, a passageway 2800 iscreated between the plate supply connector 902 and the manifold supplyconnector 900. The passageway 2800 enables fluid flow, indicated byarrows labeled B in FIG. 24, between the connectors 900,902. Thisconnection enables fluid flow from the support manifold 502, through themanifold supply connector 900, through the plate supply connector 902,and into the cold plate 504.

One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments donot include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, suchconditional language is not generally intended to imply that features,elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particularembodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarilyinclude logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting,whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to beperformed in any particular embodiment.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Manyvariations and modifications may be made to the above-describedembodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit andprinciples of the present disclosure. Further, the scope of the presentdisclosure is intended to cover any and all combinations andsub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspects discussed above.All such modifications and variations are intended to be included hereinwithin the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims toindividual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended tobe supported by the present disclosure.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A cooling system comprising: a cold plate;a support manifold connected to the cold plate, the support manifold andcold plate together defining a fluid path for cooling fluid from thesupport manifold to the cold plate; and an equipment carrier includingelectrical equipment cooled by the cold plate.
 2. The cooling system ofclaim 1, further comprising a modular carrier, wherein the cold plate,equipment carrier, and support manifold are mounted within the modularcarrier.
 3. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the cold platedefines a retainer pocket; and the support manifold comprises a plateretainer, wherein the plate retainer is removably connected to theretainer pocket.
 4. The cooling system of claim 3, wherein the supportmanifold further comprises a first channel and a second channel, whereinthe first channel is a coolant supply channel and the second channel isa coolant return channel, and wherein the support manifold providesmechanical support for the electrical equipment.
 5. The cooling systemof claim 1, further comprising a first bus bar in a first channel of thesupport manifold, a second bus bar in a second channel of the supportmanifold, and a power module housed in the cold plate, wherein the powermodule is in electrical communication with the first bus bar and thesecond bus bar.
 6. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the cold plateis a first cold plate and includes: a first connector rib; a firstconnector groove; a first vertical stop surface; and a first horizontalstop surface.
 7. The cooling system of claim 6, further comprising asecond cold plate, the second cold plate including: a second connectorrib; a second connector groove; a second vertical stop surface; and asecond horizontal stop surface, wherein the second connector rib engagesthe first connector groove and the first connector rib engages thesecond connector groove.
 8. The cooling system of claim 7, wherein in aneutral position, the first horizontal stop surface engages the secondhorizontal stop surface and the first vertical stop surface isdisengaged from the second vertical stop surface, and in a disengagedposition, the first vertical stop surface engages the second verticalstop surface and the first horizontal stop surface is disengaged fromthe second horizontal stop surface.
 9. The cooling system of claim 1,wherein the cold plate includes a plate connector and the supportmanifold includes a manifold connector engageable with the plateconnector, and wherein the electrical equipment is selected from thegroup consisting of storage devices, central processing units,networking devices, communication devices, and video processors.
 10. Aconnection manifold comprising: a manifold body; a first fluid channeldefined in the manifold body; and a second fluid channel defined in themanifold body, the manifold body providing mechanical support forelectrical equipment cooled by the first and second fluid channels. 11.The connection manifold of claim 10, wherein the first fluid channel isa cooling fluid supply channel and the second fluid channel is a coolingfluid return channel, and wherein the connection manifold is configuredfor installation in a server rack.
 12. The connection manifold of claim10, wherein the connection manifold is constructed from a flexiblematerial.
 13. The connection manifold of claim 10, further comprising afirst cabling groove.
 14. The connection manifold of claim 13, furthercomprising a second cabling groove that is configured to house a data orpower cable connected to storage devices.
 15. The connection manifold ofclaim 13, wherein the connection manifold further comprises a groovepositioned near the first and second fluid channels, the groove housingat least one cable for power or data transmission.
 16. A fluidconnection system comprising: a connector; a sliding arm attached to theconnector; and a cam adapted to move the sliding arm, wherein theconnector, the sliding arm, and the cam are configured for use in anelectronic equipment rack.
 17. The fluid connection system of claim 16,wherein the cam defines a claw portion and a hump portion, wherein thehump portion is engageable with a sliding pin connected to the slidingarm.
 18. The fluid connection system of claim 17, wherein the slidingpin is movable by the hump portion, wherein the fluid connection systemdefines: a disengaged and unmated position when the hump portion andsliding pin are disengaged, a disengaged and mated position when thehump portion and sliding pin are in contact and the sliding pin isunmoved, and an engaged and mated position when the hump portion andsliding pin are in contact and the sliding pin is moved by the humpportion.
 19. The fluid connection system of claim 16, further comprisinga pivot pin.
 20. The fluid connection system of claim 16, wherein theconnector comprises an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve, the connectorfurther comprising a sliding slot defined in the outer sleeve, whereinthe sliding arm is movable in the sliding slot.